The light output looks different than that of a reflector headlight. On the top, you can see what appears to be a small rounded bulb inside the projector … The lens bends, spreads or concentrates the light. Installation Because of the distinct cutoff, projectors can handle a brighter headlight bulb, namely. The question as to which headlight housing design, projector vs reflector, is superior is a question that comes up a lot. Affiliate Disclaimer: We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Projector Headlights vs Reflector: Head to Head Comparison 1. Aysgarth Drive, Halogen Reflectors. Up until recently, all Toyota vehicles had reflector headlights, but with the emergence of projector headlights, that’s no longer the case. Projector vs reflector headlights, which is best? You’ll probably recognize this, but here is a shot of the distinct barrier that a cutoff shield produces: This image demonstrates the effect of a cutoff shield inside of a projector headlight. It's also worth mentioning that projector headlights allow drivers to use xenon HID bulbs instead of the older halogen bulbs. [/QUOTE] I's a 2018 Ford Tourneo Courier, using H7 bulbs. These projector headlights are similar to the reflector headlights as there is the same type of steel-bowled mirrors used as reflectors. The housing still contains a metal bowl with reflective mirrors, although in this case, the metal bowl is much deeper. Attempting to upgrade projector headlights is fine in my book. On car lots today all over the world you’ll find new vehicles equipped with both reflector headlights, and projector headlights. Projector headlights give off a more even light. There are a few advantages to this style that make them popular even today: Projector headlights are a newer invention in the world of headlight technology. Reflector headlights have featured as standard on vehicles since the invention of electric headlights. Reflector vs Projector Headlights, which is best? The pros listing of the projector headlights … The cutoff shield creates a distinct light barrier so that the light coming out of the headlight is concentrated out and down, and keeps the light from exiting out and up, which would blind oncoming traffic. Larry Ficks. The accord reflector has the glare shield removed and is running a 9006 sylvania zxe bulb. They contain a bulb in a steel bowl with mirrors to act as reflectors. Projector headlights are significantly brighter than reflector headlights. Please let us know via our Facebook page. It’s clear that the projector headlight is superior, for low beams especially. T ... Projector style headlights focus the beam better, so brighter lights can be used without … Recommended to you based on your activity and what's popular • Feedback Reflector headlight use an even more simple design. Ecommerce Solution by StatementSecured by Instant SSL, PowerBulbs, Network Brands Ltd, Mechanism-wise, projector headlights work the same as reflector headlights. If the magnifying glass is held too closely, or too far away, the light spreads and the leaf doesn’t burn. 428. This helps to direct the light down towards the road. On the other hand, the projector headlights are similar to reflector headlights except they have an additional lens. Find all your headlight upgrade products here: https://www.Headlightrevolution.comLove all things automotive lighting? If you line things up just right with the sunlight and a dry leaf, the magnifying glass lens will concentrate the sunlight to a fine point and the leaf will begin to burn and smoke. The cutoff that you see above is for the low beams. In this article, we'll examine the differences between these two types of headlights and discuss which is better. They were first used on a large scale in the 1980s in some luxury vehicles. There must be some logic behind all of this madness right? If you’ve ever been 9 years old, you know that when you take a magnifying glass outside on a sunny day you can have some fun. Some kind of justification for using one or the other. You can't just slap a convex lens in front of a chromed reflector bowl and say here it is! Projector headlights are deeper, taking up more space within the vehicle. The base and mid XLTs get halogen headlights. Do you have any further information that we've missed? The distance the light source and reflector are from the lens determine the intensity and dissipation or concentration of the light. »  4 Best Headlight Sealants (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide), »  5 Best Aftermarket Headlight Assembly Brands, »  4 Best Clear Coats For Headlights (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide), »  LED Headlight Bulbs Review: Expert Comparison, »  HID Headlight Reviews: Expert Comparison. Most reflector headlights use a. Reflector headlights are the old style found on cars made in the early 2000s or before. Halogen Reflectors were the most common type of headlights. H1H3H4H7H11HB3HB4HIR2H8H15 (715)H9 (709)H13H16HB3 / HB4H6W (433c/434)H8/H11/H16C5WW5W (501)P21W (382)P21/5W (380)PR21/5W (380R)PY21W (581)T4W (233)WY5W (501A)W21WW21/5WP13WW16WPS19WPSX24WH27, H7 (499)9003 (HB2/H4)H11H1 (448)HB3/HB49005 (HB3)9006 (HB4)H8/H11/H16HIR2H16W5WPY21W (581)P21/5W (380)P21W (382)C5WW16WW21/5W (580)W21WWY21W (582)WY5W (501a)T4W (233). HID bulbs are too bright when used in reflector headlights, where the light they emit can blind other drivers. Reflector … Projector headlights … Projector headlights work similarly to traditional reflector headlights, with one key difference. They're less likely to blind other drivers. Since then, projector headlights have become popular on all types of vehicles. Later then some car manufacturers create a projector for replacement of the reflector to improve the headlight appearance and the spotlight ability. The headlight manufacturers tune the headlights so that you get an exceptional experience. LEDs require projector retrofits, here is why. Considering all of this, it's clear that projector headlights are better than reflector headlights. Visibility “Best” is highly subjective, so here is how we define “best”. Many new vehicles continue to be made with reflector headlights. They're cheaper to make. One disadvantage of reflector … Less expensive to manufacture. In essence, the conventional reflector headlights use a very simplistic design. It’s a reflective half-sphere that throws the light from the light source in a specific direction. It consists of a light source that is situated in the middle of the reflector cup. There are 2 types of headlight housing your vehicle may have which will heavily determine the characteristics of projection of light. One of the most significant features of headlights is their capacity to show you what’s there lying ahead... 2. However, a halogen … Projector. The Maruti Suzuki S-Cross runs projector headlamps, with LEDs! Currently I have the Qtech gen 1 LED reflector headlights… It consists of a light source (headlight bulb) that is situated in the middle of the reflector cup. In older reflector headlights, the shape of the light beam was determined by the lens in the front of the headlight. Wakefield, Found this link with open hood, and decent look on headlights. In other words, which design provides the best experience for both the driver and oncoming traffic? While all HID’s come in a type of projector housing, not all projector headlight housings use HID bulbs. They were basically a headlight with a reflector behind it and the light would shine off the reflectors … Simple design. Most people that are asking the question “which is better, projector or reflector headlights?” want to know which design accomplishes the job of a headlight the best. HID Projectors. Projector headlights are similar to reflector headlights. Thanks to the shield, projector headlights have a very sharp cutoff. Projector Vs. Reflector Headlights: Which Is Best? Reflector Vs. Projector Headlights: Exploring their Pros and Cons. In most ways, projector headlights are similar to reflector headlights. Ford calls these the “LED Reflector”, I refer to them as the Quad-beam style lights. 1: Working of Reflector Headlight. Reflector vs projector. 30 Aug 2019. 3. IDENTIFY HOUSING TYPE. We’re going to settle this once and for all. If your car is equipped with reflector headlights, it is … Let us explain. (With Pictures), 6 Brightest Headlights 2021: LED, HID, & Halogen, 3 Best HID Conversion Kits: The Complete Buyers Guide, 4 Best Headlight Sealants (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide), 5 Best Aftermarket Headlight Assembly Brands, 4 Best Clear Coats For Headlights (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide), 6 Best LED Headlights 2021 (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide). However, a projector headlight also has a lens that … The lens is used to throw the light in a very precise and even manner. If your vehicle doesn’t come equipped with a projector headlight, the aftermarket likely offers a replacement headlight with a projector in it for $200 or $300. Mirrors are here in the same frame or bowl to reflect the light properly onto your road. on Projector vs Reflector Headlights: Which is Best? Some even use both in one headlight. WF2 8UG    Company Number: 04246392    Vat Number: GB 772 8714 95. 5 Best Fog Lights 2021 (Reviews + Ultimate Buying Guide), 4 Best Headlights for Night Driving 2021 (Reviews + Buying Guide), HID vs LED Headlights: Which is Better? They contain a bulb in a steel bowl with mirrors to act as reflectors. Reflector vs. Projector-beam lights. Here is a comparison between the projector and reflector headlights. Without the cutoff shield, you’d get a more round light output shape, similar to a flashlight. Projector headlights are newer, but not every new car has projector headlights. Reflector vs Projector Headlights STEDI FAQs November 10, 2020 23:15; Updated; Follow. The even beam, the ability for it to handle a HID bulb, and it’s appearance, all contribute to making the projector headlight design superior to that of the reflector headlight bulb. Halogen Projectors. The solenoid controls the high and low beams. The difference is that they use an elliptical-shaped reflector … A reflector headlight consists of a bulb encased in a steel bowl. Discussion Starter • #1 • Oct 6, 2017. https://bestheadlightbulbs.com › projector-vs-reflector-headlights Did you enjoy this article? OSRAM Night Breaker Unlimited 9003 (HB2/H4) (Twin). In order to pick a winner, we first needed to define what “best” means. Chinese Opt7 7000 lumen LEDs vs … However, a projector headlight also has a lens that acts as a magnifying glass, increasing the brightness of the light beam. This is how projector headlights work. An easy way to wrap your head around this is to compare this to a handheld magnifying glass. Here is a cross section of that design: It’s clear that the projector headlight is superior, for low beams especially. Projector vs Reflector Headlights. But yeah, reflector … Standard on XLT 302A and Lariat. Which leads me to the next component of the headlight, which is the solenoid. Aysgarth House, Light output is less controlled and the low beam cutoff for oncoming traffic is less distinct. In terms of price, a reflector headlight system typically costs less than projector headlights. Xenon HID bulbs can only be used with projector headlights. HID bulbs are too bright when used in … This meant it was no longer necessary for the lens and the headlight housing to be sealed, and bulbs could be easily removed or replaced. John Conboy is the founder of PowerBulbs.com, a UK based automotive lighting specialist, which ships bulbs worldwide. With this type, known as a sealed-beam headlight, the casing cannot be removed to replace a burnt-out bulb. One should not confuse projector headlights with HID headlights. All Rights Reserved. Manufacturers often use reflector headlights simply because they're less expensive. Until recently, all vehicles contained the same style of headlight housing. Jump to Latest Follow 1 - 10 of 10 Posts. A reflector headlight just like the projector headlights, come with the bulb in a steel frame. Because the light output is a less controlled, high output light sources are not used with this design. A … As a general rule, don’t attempt to upgrade reflector headlights. They just don’t control light well enough. Remember that behind the projector, you still need extra space for the D2S bulb connector and then the weatherproofing cap/cover behind it. Even distribution of light with little to no “hot spots” or intense and weak spots. You’ll have to make that call yourself. Projector headlight use a very simple design. With this lens, the lights come from the projector headlight bulb can be guided through and hit toward the road more focus, hence the lens … Even these headlamps carry a bulb in a steel enclosure with mirrors that act as reflectors. Projector and reflector headlights have their own sets of pros and cons. April 8th, 2014, 12:04 AM. Mirrors are place within the bowl to reflect light out onto the road. The even beam, the ability for it to handle a HID bulb, and it’s appearance, all contribute to making the projector headlight design superior to that of the reflector headlight … Although in the past projector headlights … LEDs are better for reflector headlights. John has 20+ years experience in the industry and in that time has become an approved partner of Philips and OSRAM. 1. © PowerBulbs 2021. Because projector headlights are directed downwards towards the road, they don't shine in other drivers' eyes. Reflector: Like classic reflector headlights, projector headlights actually include a component called a reflector. These headlamps were launched in luxury cars back in the 1980s and have now trickled down to cheaper cars. They're brighter. Projector vs reflector headlights has always been a big discussion between car owners but at the end of the day, you still get the same amount of light output from both methods. Now let’s move on to … 2. The projector is running an osram h11 bulb and has a custom curved shield. Most like it or prefer it, but there are some that don’t. The headlight bulb goes inside a steel bowl that contains mirrors, just as reflector … Both types of headlight … I was playing around with some leftover 6thgen accord reflectors and a unidentified halogen projector. If you’re planning to install the headlights … Xenon HID bulbs can only be used with projector headlights. At it’s most basic form, there are three parts: The reflector portion is similar to what you see in a flashlight. 159 Posts . It’s a matter of opinion. … Projector headlights are brighter than reflector headlights, and they are less likely to blind oncoming traffic. When the high beams are engages, the solenoid drops the cutoff shield out of the way allowing all of the light the pass through, giving you full light output, or in other words, your high beams. The reflector dissipates the light that is available evenly, but not all beams are directed properly and can be reflected too far up or down and be not visible to the driver. Pros & Cons of Reflector Headlights. Projector headlights are growing in popularity, and for good reasons. The ebay projector headlights are worthless more often than not due to poor R&D. They have many advantages: When searching for the best headlights, most drivers want the brightest headlights possible without creating problems for other drivers. Automotive. Reflector headlights can have darker spots. A disturbing trend has become to stuff LEDs into halogen reflectors thinking it is a plug and play replacement when it is about the offensive equivalent of putting an HID bulb in there for oncoming drivers. With that in mind, we analyzed each headlight design in detail. The beam often has intense and weak spots in the beam. Projector headlights are similar to reflector headlights. To ensure that the light produced by these types of headlights is angled properly, there is also a cutoff shield. GT Ultra 120 9003 (HB2/H4) (Twin) – BUY ONE GET ONE FREE! Distinct cutoff of low beams, which keeps oncoming traffic from being blinded. Well there are 3 main types of headlights. Projector headlights don’t have darker spots unlike reflector headlights. In the 1980s, improvements in technology led to reflector headlights that used mirrors inside the headlight housing itself to guide the beams. Design-wise, they also take up less space and come in a more compact style. Today, there are two types of headlights - projector and reflector. They're smaller. And the winner is… Projector headlights. 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